Burning fat need not burn a hole in your pocket. Fix a goal that clearly answers why you are embarking on this fitness regimen. Find a clutter-free space and try push ups, burpees, and planks and use household materials (e.g., heavy sacks) rather than expensive gym equipment. Exploit free low-cost resources like mobile apps or YouTube videos, or even neighborhood classes that offer discounts.

I used to believe that going to the gym every day was the answer to all my problems.

When I first signed up, I went six days a week. Then two times. Another week would pass and I wouldn’t make it.

I would suffer from anxiety and guilt if I didn’t go. Also, for having to pay for it. (I seriously HATE wasting money.) It would keep me up at night. Feeling that way was exhausting. More exhausting than I would feel had I gone.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time and energy stressing over what I wasn’t doing instead of being proud of what I was.

Small Steps Yield Big Results

The hardest part about getting fit, lean, stronger, losing weight, or whatever you like to call it is actually doing it. Putting one foot in front of (or behind) the other. To move from being obsessed to actually taking action.

When I decided that I would commit to moving on a regular basis, I started small by doing 30 minutes two days a week. That felt easy.

My competitive nature would try to tell me that I wasn’t doing enough and that I needed to work harder. And my ego was constantly fighting me on what was “enough.”

But I knew that I needed to take small steps instead of going big only to end up going home.

Once exercise started to feel easier, I was ready to take it up a notch.

Here are the steps I took to get fit and drop 40 lbs.

Get A Goal

It better be a real one that means something to you.

Looking back, I feel that the reason I struggled with getting my butt out the door and going to the gym was that I wasn’t really sure what my goal was.

I knew I “had” to lose at least 30 lbs for my mental health and body image. But other than that, I wasn’t really feeling it.

I needed to dig into my bigger why and set a goal that didn’t totally suck. (This was long before Danielle LaPorte’s wonderful Desire Map book.) I was craving goals that would fulfill my want of feeling connected, grounded, and powerful in my body.

Get Creative

When it comes to getting fit, you DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR A DAMN THING if you don’t want to. There are tons of free or low-cost options that I am sharing here.

That way “not having enough money” isn’t a factor holding you back. Use what you have around you.

I also believe that being part of a team fuels my creative needs.

Did I mention that I play soccer?

Find Space You Can Move In

I’m serious. Where around your house or in your yard / neighborhood could you do burpees and not knock a lamp off the wall?

Look for solid floors and move the furniture.

If you are outside, look at playgrounds or school fields. Every space is an opportunity.

My current favorite place to work out is the provincial park 100 meters away from our home. It has paved pathways, hills, and trails that wind through trees and along the riverbed.

Use Your Body Weight

When I first started out at the gym, I did 80% body weight workouts. It’s important to be able to lift your own weight before you start adding to it.

I want you to think outside of the box or typical strength training methods. Find large rocks or sandbags; even a suitcase will do.

My go to are 13 kg bags of dog food and, occasionally, my husband’s tools. You’d be surprised at how heavy the stand for a miter saw is.

Use YouTube, Pinterest, And Apps

Have you checked out Pinterest? There are a ton of free resources there.

There are a ton of free apps that you can download for a huge library of workouts for your different workout goals. Many of these help beginners with video instructions of how to do each set of movements.

Amanda began her studies at Institute for Integrative Nutrition initially to get over the stresses of her job and life. As many others she spent time counting calories and avoiding carbs / other delicious foods to try to lose weight. She healed herself by listening to HER body, learning in the process her own bio individuality. She has researched ALL the dietary theories (paleo, gluten free, etc) and through trial and error, and consistentently maintaining her food journal, she has found a way that works best for her. She strongly believes that if other areas of your life (love, relationships, activity, career) are out of sync, it did not matter how healthy you ate, you would still feel terrible. By combining body, mind and spirit, my life is ridiculously different now!

Amanda began her studies at Institute for Integrative Nutrition initially to get over the stresses of her job and life. As many others she spent time counting calories and avoiding carbs / other delicious foods to try to lose weight. She healed herself by listening to HER body, learning in the process her own bio individuality. She has researched ALL the dietary theories (paleo, gluten free, etc) and through trial and error, and consistentently maintaining her food journal, she has found a way that works best for her. She strongly believes that if other areas of your life (love, relationships, activity, career) are out of sync, it did not matter how healthy you ate, you would still feel terrible. By combining body, mind and spirit, my life is ridiculously different now!